Licensing System
Scrapped A Career in Painting Look After Your Mates This Christmas
Workplace Bullying
New Laws to Define and Combat
www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au
From the Editor Dear Readers, We all know life is short and we are sometimes suddenly and tragically reminded of the fact. It is too short for us to spend hours working hard, only to waste our personal time stressing and struggling financially. We recently announced we were going to actively work towards a more equitable rate of payment for the Painting Industry, to bring it into line with other trades. Painters undertake the same length of apprenticeship as other trades, and we know it is a job requiring skill and expertise. We work for a proud industry and deserve to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for ourselves and our families. Painting has for years been a nuisance to the construction regulatory bodies due to it being undertaken by many who are untrained and unlicensed. The knock on affect of the issues created is no good for any industry. By finding common ground on what a quality job is worth, builders will assist to maintain Australian and industry standards, while showing up the poor quality cowboys. We thank you all for the support you’ve shown so far for our campaign for change. It is only the beginning however, rallying your support and that of other industry bodies to reach our collective goal and ensure the future success of Painting businesses.
EDITOR Nigel Gorman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Caroline Miall CONTRIBUTORS • Amanda Dawes • Caroline Miall • Colin Thompson • Debra Jarvis • Jennie Gorman • Jim Baker • Leo Babaut
Once enough support has been garnered, the plan is to demonstrate to government and construction industry bodies how it is impossible for painters to maintain Australian standards and manufacturers specifications under the current conditions.
• Monroe Porter
Getting back to April’s APC... this edition has some great information for you; from respected industry figure, Munro Porter, advice on guiding your business by the figures for success; Jim Baker discusses the impact of a happy customer, and find advice on relationship building in business. We also begin a State by State run down this month, featuring this time SA, NSW, QLD, and VIC
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
‘Til next month... Cheers! Nigel Gorman
nigel@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au
07 3555 8010
• Nigel Gorman
J. Anne Delgado
Contents Page 7
Taking Back Our Trade
Page 10
Life Hacked
Page 12
Painting by the Numbers
Page 15
Concerns for Crane Standing in the Basement Fire
Page 17
You can’t afford Payment to be a Waiting Game
Page 18
MYTH BUSTING Defining a ‘Worker’
Page 20
Safe Work SA
Page 21 Nation Paint Product Stewardship Scheme Page 22
Welcoming Opportunities
Page 25 Update on Royal Commission into Union Corruption Page 26
Thwarting the Thieves
Page 29
The Main Ingredients to Building Strong Relationships in Business
Page 31
Happy Client... Happy Life
Page 34 On-Line Training Launched for Painting Industry Page 39
Hello APC Readers
Page 40
Zen Habits
Page 42
The Industry Idiots
Page 43
Important Contacts
In the Chair Hello Painters, We are in the middle of a database update and membership drive! To make sure your free listing is accurate, stay up to date with news and legislation, and receive our magazines and newsletters, please take a moment to ensure your email address and other details are up to date. Over the coming months we aim to provide our members with greater value for their membership dollar. We have already released our OHS Documents for your use. They are in a printable PDF form; you just add your own company logo and details where required. We urge you to utilise these – if an accident occurs on a job site, ignorance is no excuse in a court of law. Can you afford to pay substantial fines or lose your livelihood? Your staff can also be held liable for breaches of OHS. If you need an advice or have questions relating to OHS, feel free to contact us. I have CERT IV in that area and am only too happy to help our members. Our Member base is gaining momentum, to truly represent we need to grow further. The bigger our membership ranks, the more we can negotiate within our Industry to help you. WHAT ARE WE WORTH We hear great concern from painters we talk to about the current low rates offered by some in the building industry. It is not only an unfair situation;
as a result, standards suffer with cost cutting, proliferating issues with jobs, creating a general deterioration of our industry. We wish to take up the cause and tackle the issue head on; we plan to raise this issue with the appropriate organisations, but we need your support. By becoming a member of Aussie Painters Network, together, we can lift the standard in the painting industry and help put more money in YOUR pocket. It’s disheartening to see our Industry devalued by some the way it has, and to some extent we have allowed that to happen. I would rather stay home and go broke than spend money on product and hard labour and not get paid what I am worth at the end of the day. Our Industry needs a shake up and we are willing to stand up and be pro-active.
Happy Painting! Colin Thompson colin@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au Aussie Painters Network Your Partners in Painting 0433 274 794 07 3555 8010 1800 355 344
Opinions and viewpoints expressed in Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor, staff or publisher or any Home Painters Info staff or related parties. The publisher, Home Painters In fo and Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine personnel are not liable for any mistake, misprint or omission. Information contained in Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine is intended to inform and illustrate and should not be taken as financial, legal or accounting advice. You should seek professional advice before making any business related decisions. We are not liable for any losses you may incur directly or indirectly as a result of reading Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine. Reproduction of any material or contents of the magazine without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
6 | Aussie Painters Network
Taking Back Our Trade
The time has come for painters to take back our trade. For too long builders have dictated the prices that they are prepared to pay painters to make their work look good. Well, it’s high time that we take back our trade. We have spoken with hundreds of painters and they all agree that collaboratively we can resume control of our own enterprises. After all, if it wasn’t for the painter how could builders win the awards that they do? We fix up all the other trades muck ups and make their jobs look fabulous. Thanks to the support of the growing number of Members, Master Painters and Decorators Australia and the National Institute of Painters and Decorators, we are well on the way to campaign the relevant stakeholders to work on a base rate for the industry. As we all know, there is an Australian Standard that painters are expected to adhere to. Maintaining that standard, however, is near impossible when a painter is dictated an unrealistic and unfair price by the builder. Usually, either the quality of the job, the longevity of the business, or even the health of the tradesperson is sacrificed for this rate. Painters working in the new housing area are aware that the builders may give them a ‘Floor Rate’ that they have to work too. The only thing the floor rate relates to is the ceiling that requires painting. Builders work that
way because it makes it easy and unfortunately painters have just accepted it. It’s not an advantageous method from our point of view, seeing as painters do not paint the floor! Could you imagine a plasterer working out his rates off floor area? From the floor how can he work out how many metres of plasterboard is he going to need? Or the Carpenter working out how many doors or how many metres of skirting/architrave is needed. These are the things that are painted. Working off a floor rate is not a good indication of the job cost and is a lazy practice, not just on the part of the builder but also of the painter. Research suggests if a painter is working off a floor rate, he has little idea of what the job entails, how much paint is really required and the length of time it may take. It’s a very rough way of estimating a cost which leaves the painter in a precarious position to take a loss. Unfortunately builders are going to continue working this way so ideally agreement needs to be reached on a base rate that will guarantee the ability to run a successful business. If you haven’t completed our survey on the matter, please do. We will be publishing details of our findings from the survey, and invite your input. For more info, see next month’s Aussie Painting Contractor.
2014 April Issue | 7
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2014 April Issue | 9
Life Hacked In this age of digital and social media we are all bombarded by so much information it’s overwhelming. It’s difficult to remember a time when we didn’t think about email, facebook, Youtube, twitter and whatever other medium you might be into... I sometimes long for that simpler time when there was no need to sift through so much information to find what might actually be important or useful. Recently, though, after dismissing the usual syrupy sweet sloppy stuff, the political detritus, the cat memes and toddlers dancing that all cross my screen, I’ve been noting a (relatively) new concept that I find I am drawn to. Something on the net from which I occasionally extract a morsel of information gold that helps me day to day! Of course some of them are a big fat fail – some try-hard hipster trying to get his/her minute of internet fame. So, what am I talking about? Life Hacks – you might have seen some. If so, you might be a little tired of being told that you’ve been peeling your bananas wrong ALL YOUR LIFE! But, they may just have a point. This little piece of modern day, internet popular culture might just have the odd gem to offer, so I’m paying attention!
10 | Aussie Painters Network
Life hacking refers to any little trick, shortcut, skill, that streamlines your everyday life in whatever small way, to increase productivity and efficiency. Coined in the 1980s in the time of early computer ‘hacker’ culture, and borrowed from technical problem solving jargon, the term has become popular among bloggers, computing and geek communities, applying solutions to everyday problems to increase workflow. In December 2005, the term “lifehack” was added to Urban Dictionary online. It’s no coincidence that these appear on the net in response to so many looking to simplify their lives; remove some of the tedium, and save precious minutes here and there. But as life-hacking becomes an industry of its own, with blogs and book-length guides, many have argued that some hacks just require more effort for a small task, or, they create time but with it, we just increase the time we work. Personally I’ve found that among the endless hacks now out there, there is some useful stuff to be incorporated into habitual life, or to solve some eternally irritating problem. I’ve noticed, too, many hacks use discarded items to achieve unique solutions, or negate
the need for other purchases, so the movement could be seen to overlap with the goals of ‘reduce, repurpose and recycle’. Even better! I even found some pages of hacks devoted to painting! Check out below: http://thesecretyumiverse.
wonderhowto.com/how-to/12painting-hacks-for-your-next-homepainting-project-0146850/ http://blog. coldwellbanker.com/painting/
The more I see them, the more often I am remembering to put them into use, and the more I find myself searching for other useful hacks (or even coming up with new ones). Next time you’re casually wandering around on the net, see if you can find some great life hacks for yourself. It might transform how you do things. Let us know if you find any you don’t know how you lived without! If you’ve never stumbled on life hacks before, see here for some ideas: http://twistedsifter.
com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/ by Caroline Miall caroline@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au
2014 April Issue | 11
Painting by the Numbers Remember when you were a kid and could buy painting kits where you painted each color into a corresponding number to create a master piece. Following those simple numbers and staying within the lines ensured that everything would come out ok. Running a painting business is much the same. Without those numbers to guide us, things can become out of balance pretty quickly. I have been doing this for over 30 years and have never witnessed as much business anxiety. Both can be a dangerous approach, particularly when times are changing and the numbers are shifting. Much of this is driven by the good times, the 24 hour news stations that constantly talk about our doom and gloom and of course, seeing your 401K take a 40% hit. There is no question business is tougher but it is still possible to succeed. The rules have just changed. It actually goes beyond simple numbers. Some folks are worriers and see the glass half empty. Others are eternal optimists and always see the glass half full. Both can be a dangerous approach, particularly when times are changing and the numbers are shifting. Knowing the numbers benefits both personality types.
12 | Aussie Painters Network
When folks get anxious, each and every one of us acts differently. Some people talk faster, others withdraw. Extreme anxiety can impact our intellect and temporarily drop our IQ much like the 15 year old boy on his first date. He meant to say the girl had timeless beauty but nerves made it come out that her face could stop a clock. Believe it or not, I talk to contractors weekly who are doing ok but think things are horrible. They complain that low ball bids are taking all the work when closing ratios are close to what they were last year. Most have fewer leads but if they adjusted their business costs as we have been coaching them to do, many had a more profitable first quarter. The problem is that they really were not looking at the numbers and anxiety had taken over logic. On the other side, eternal optimists tend to think everything will be ok and they will just sell more work. They are the kind of folks who are being tarred and feather and run out of town by an angry mob but they think they are leading a parade. Failing to use numbers to guide business decisions can lead this personality to make devastating business decisions. In both of these cases, painting by the numbers relieves stress. So what are some of the simple steps you can take to paint by the numbers?
Start with an overhead budget. Many contractors are cutting wages, benefits and trying to push field production. All of these things are good to do but the real financial problems for painting business starts with their overhead costs. Take a moment and add up all of these costs. They include things like your truck and vehicle costs and expenses, office salaries, rent, advertising, accounting, insurance, interest, licenses, etc. Don’t forget that your owner’s salary is probably the largest area of overhead and if you still paint, you have a salary for your painting time as well as non-painting time. Let’s run a really simple company and show how overhead numbers work as volume decreases. We will use imaginary numbers but not totally unrealistic numbers for a painting contractor with about 5 employees in the field. Now let’s suppose sales drop 25% from $400,000 to $300,000 and for now your direct cost percentage stayed at 62.5%. Gross profit would now be $112,500, overhead would be $136,000 and you have a $23,500 loss or 5.875% loss.
Continue on Page 14...
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www.paintrollersd.com.au 2014 April Issue | 13
Painting by the Numbers
Since sales are 25% less, you obviously must adjust overheads and this can be painful and difficult. The above company does not have excess overheads, leases on rent are signed in advance and it is hard to do things, like sell trucks. Note that 20% of our 34% overhead is owner and admin salaries. We can cut things like office supplies and phones but these are really the smallest costs. Since we are doing 25% less sales, we can cut our admin sales hours back but that can be dangerous. If the owner now assumes all of the admin, he or she becomes a paid office clerk. In the above example, the owner’s salary is the biggest overhead expense. Since sales are off 25%, the owner is probably doing 25% fewer estimates and now has excess time. If the owner becomes anxious and stares at four walls, the company is in trouble. If the owner is optimistic and does the same old same old, denial will kill the business. The owner now must rearrange their time to bring more value to the company. Possibly,
14 | Aussie Painters Network
they should paint one day a week. Maybe they need to pass out flyers in neighborhoods or cold call on businesses but numbers support a need for efficient ownership. For many owners, this feels like the business is going backwards and can be very frustrating. It really is a matter of whether you will get with it and make something happen. I am betting that knowing the numbers and avoiding denial will force action. Monroe Porter is president of PROOF Management a firm that teaches seminars and runs networking groups for painting contractors. Several Aussie painting contractors travel to the US each year to participate in his programs.
monroe@proofman.com
www proofman.com
Concerns for crane standing in basement fire! Following last month’s scaffold collapse on a Mascott job, that left three people injured, this month Lendlease Barangaroo Construction site was confronted by the possibility of a crane collapse after fire broke out at its base in the basement of the building! Hundreds of workers were evacuated; with grave concern the steel of the crane could be compromised. The consequences of a crane collapse of that size are almost unimaginable. Fortunately the incident caused only major traffic chaos and no loss of life, however it has sparked calls for an urgent city or state-wide review of health and safety in construction, after a spate of serious incidents over the past 18 months. The site has also been the subject of a report recently handed to the police by Premier Barry O’Farrell, following reports of organised crime and bribery surrounding labour contracts.
• • • • • • • for more details, visit our website!
www.paintershrpolicies.com
2014 April Issue | 15
to be a Waiting Game One of the great frustrations of many contractors and sub-contractors within the Construction Industry is the ever increasing waiting game for payments. As more and more people take advantage of a cultural value system that requires contractors and sub-contractors to be ‘good blokes’ more and more business are foreclosing or reaching breaking point before action is taken.
What do the new laws mean for head contractors? * Payment within 15 business days of submitting a valid payment claim * Must provide a supporting statement declaring that subcontractors have been paid what is due and owing when submitting a payment claim * Pay subcontractors and suppliers within 30 business days of a valid payment claim being made
Unfortunately contractors and sub-contractors who wait in the belief that by not chasing their money, clients will be appreciative or large Contractors will offer them more work are fooling themselves.
What do the new laws mean for sub-contractors? * Payment within 30 business days of submitting a valid payment claim
From what we see, the most common length of time contractors and sub-contractors wait for their money is six to eight months, WAY TOO LONG. Payment is not a waiting game…it is an action game. In Late 2013, Amendments to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act were passed by the NSW Parliament as part of the NSW Government’s response to the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Construction Industry Insolvency. The Building and Construction Security of Payment Act 1999 is the primary legislative instrument regulating payment practices in the industry. The Act’s objective is to promote the flow of payments by providing a statutory right for progress payments and a mechanism to quickly and fairly resolve disputes about payments.
NSW NEWS
You can’t afford Payment
What are the penalties for not complying with the new requirements? There is a maximum penalty of $22,000 for failing to provide a supporting statement with a payment claim to a principal. Maximum penalties of $22,000 and/or three months imprisonment apply to knowingly providing false or misleading information in that statement. When do the new laws commence? The Government recognises that businesses will need time to make the necessary changes to their administrative practices to comply with the changes. Regulations that provide the necessary administrative support for the new laws will be published prior to the expected commencement date of April 2014. Further information on security of payment legislation can be accessed at www.procurepoint.nsw.gov.au
2014 April Issue | 17
QLD NEWS
MYTH BUSTING
Defining a ‘Worker’
Since mid 2013, Compliance and Education Industry Advisors from WorkCover Queensland have been visiting trades such as carpenters, plasterers, and painters to review the determination of just who is a “worker” as opposed to a Contractor, for the purpose of Workers’ Compensation. During these visit, several common misconceptions in the construction industry were highlighted.
“A worker is a person who works under a contract and, in relation to the work, is an employee for the purpose of assessment for PAYG withholding under the Taxation Administration Act 1953” Since so many discrepancies were uncovered across these 1000+ tradies consulted, WorkCover has published information to assist compliance with the appropriate obligations. Some common false assumptions for consideration: 1. Having an Australian Business Number (ABN) “All of my workers have an ABN, so they cover themselves.” FACT: Many employers believe that a sole trader with an ABN and a current licence is a legitimate contractor and therefore is a contractor for WorkCover purposes, this is not the case. It is the entity type and arrangement in which the contractor is engaged to perform works which determines if they are considered a worker. An ABN sole trader can be deemed a worker. 2. Entity type vs business trading name “This worker has their own business/trading name.” FACT: Some contractors trade under a business name however this does not generally mean they are a company. WorkCover looks at their entity type which could still be an ABN sole trader.
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A contractor can have a trading name and still be a worker. 3. Short term work “I’m so busy that I just needed a casual to help for a short time but it was for such a short time, I didn’t think I needed to cover them.” Fact: The determination of a worker has no relevance to the length, time or duration of engagement. Once you have engaged someone to perform works under a rate arrangement they will be considered a worker. Regardless of the employment period, casual staff can still be deemed workers..
Fact: Many of these workers are engaged on an hourly rate, working on a number of projects in a group/gang arrangement. Regardless of qualifications, it is the nature of their engagement which WorkCover looks at. 4. The worker wants to be a contractor “This worker told me he was a contractor.” Fact: The majority of sole traders want to be seen as legitimate contractors regardless of their engagement. Often they will establish a contract based on rates and incorrectly believe this will make them a legitimate contractor.
6. The 80% rule “This contractor does not work for me more than 80% of his time.” Fact: The 80% rule relates only to the way personal income is reported to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). It does not have a bearing on the amount of time that they are engaged by a certain employer.
It is the type of contract and the working arrangements that indicate who is a worker.
The 80% rule does not have any relevance to worker definition.
5. Specialist skills and qualifications “I have arranged for this worker to attend a course to qualify for a business licence and become a ‘legitimate contractor’. If they have their Contractors licence they are a contractor.”
See specific tests and rules at: Who is a Worker? Determination from July 2013 http://www.workcoverqld. com.au/insurance/do-i-need-a-policy/who-should-i-coverfrom-1-July-2013/worker-determination-from-1-July-2013
Source: www.workcoverqld.com.au
Construction Skills Queensland We’re building stronger futures in construction – join us at csq.org.au
2014 April Issue | 19
SA NEWS
SafeWork SA investigating bogus inspectors South Australia’s work health and safety regulator, SafeWork SA, is urging people to request photo identification when an inspector requests workplace access. This follows a spate of reports of people attending workplaces and falsely claiming to be authorised SafeWork SA inspectors. Inspectors always carry authorised inspector photo identification, provide their full name and wear a uniform. SafeWork is concerned that South Australian workers and businesses are receiving incorrect or misleading WHS information which may compromise work health and safety. It is an offence to impersonate an inspector and any person doing so
may be subject to a maximum penalty of $10,000. Investigations are now underway, with a view to initiating prosecution action. Such incidents have prompted Safe Work to encourage workplaces to require proof of identity and check the credentials of any unknown person seeking site access. Anyone with information about bogus inspectors is advised to phone 1300 365 255. For more info see: http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/ show_page.jsp?id=113311#.UzIhQsvNvIU
SAFE WORK SA EVENTS 28 April 2014 - World Day for Safety and Health at Work Every year Safe Work SA promotes and supports ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’ which promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. On the 28th April, International Labour Organization will be celebrating “Safety and health in the use of chemicals at work“. With an increasing trend of the issue arising within Workplace Health & Safety across the state it is a great opportunity to support an awareness-raising campaign focusing on work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities. For further information please go to http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/show_page.jsp?id=2762
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Stewardship Scheme
VIC NEWS
National Paint Product
2014 April Issue | 21
Welcoming Opportunities: Now the office is in order it’s time to cast your eye over the rest of the house and apply a few of the following principles. I reckon you will see major improvements in your business. Our home is our Castle; it is the foundation for everything else that we do. When we are making do, putting up with in our home, then that is the premise by which the rest of our life also operates. When our home nourishes and provides an enjoyable sanctuary then our other life experiences reflect this. Here are a few suggestions to get you started on increasing the beneficial flow of Chi (good Feng Shui energy) in your home. When you arrive home, what is the first thing you see? An overgrown hedge, rubbish bins, paint cans, a garage full of junk or a great looking rockery, a smart letterbox with a clearly visible number and an attractive entrance? In Feng Shui we consider entrances to be most important as they are where we welcome opportunity in. The second most important area is the bedroom as it is the first place we see in the morning upon waking and the last before we go to sleep. What do you see when you wake up? Ensure it uplifts you! Do you feel
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good about where you sleep? Invest in sheets that you love! Is there stuff under the bed? Ideally Chi flows freely under the bed and there is access from both sides. (i.e. The bed is not up against the wall.) Where the eye goes Chi flows. When cupboards, sheds and other areas are full of stuff that we rarely use and struggle to locate when required, then the energy flow is blocked. Those items you are keeping because; they might came in handy or were left over from a job, or worse remind you of a project that has less than excellent memories, feelings and associations are holding your business back from reaching its full potential. Debra Jarvis www.DebraJarvisFengShui.com
2014 April Issue | 23
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24 | Aussie Painters Network
Update
on Royal Commission into Union Corruption The Terms of Reference have now been announced for the Royal Commission that was announced last month by Prime Minister Abbot, to look into the ongoing allegations of corruption and illegal activity in the nations unions. The first hearing is to go ahead on 9 April. A joint statement was released by Abbott, along with Minister for Employment, Eric Abetz and Attorney General George Brandis QC. See the Press Release here: http://images.theage.com.au/
file/2014/02/10/5147667/Royal_Commission_unions_TOR.pdf
Former high court justice Dyson Heydon QC will preside over the commission, which has been officially signed off by Governor-General Quentin Bryce. The inquiry will address alleged financial irregularities associated with the affairs of trade unions. There are suggestions of standover tactics being employed and ‘systemic issues involving secret funds, commissions and kickbacks that need to be considered.’ It will largely focus on five unions, The Australian Workers Union, Transport Workers Union, Electrical Trades Union the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, and the Health Services Union whose former leader Craig Thomson has now been found guilty of fraud.
Mr Abbott assures those within the Unions that are doing no wrong have nothing to fear from the commission. However union representatives like ACTU President Ged Kearney has been reported as describing the royal commission as a political “witch-hunt” aimed at undermining the union movement.
DEFECT ROPINESS
Heavy brush marks in the paint film. CAUSE Poor application or applying paint over a soft film. REMEDY Sand surface thoroughly before applying top coats and lay off correctly. 2014 April Issue | 25
Thwarting the Thieves
Secure your vehicle and your valuables! Ever had valuable tools stolen from your ute? It seems plenty of us have; The Victorian Police are currently proposing to reunite just such bootie with its rightful owners, staging a mass claim of goods recovered from criminal activity. The tools have been gathered from thefts from 2011-12, and amount to a huge haul. Moreland Crime Investigation Unit detectives believe the majority of them were stolen from tradesman’s vehicles and vans in the northern suburbs The tools will be on display for viewing in Collingwood over two days in April. Those affected can register with the police to view and claim. Presumably there would need to have been a report of the theft, or every man and his dog could make a claim. (original article here).
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/police-tohold-mass-power-tool-claiming-after-huge-cache-of-allegedly-stolen-goods-uncovered/story-fni0fee2-1226852350778
Theft can cost you loads of time and loss of work; replacing the tools, lodging an insurance claim... no one has this sort of time to waste. But this frustrating interruption to your business is, for the most part, preventable. Or you can at least provide plenty of deterrents. Here are some: * Always lock your car. No brainer. * Don’t leave your windows open, even a crack. * Remove from view all items of value including sunglasses, loose change, smart phones/tablets, handbags and power tools; the most commonly sought item! * Park in well lit/populated areas. * Mark or engrave your property with the letter V and your driver’s licence number. This assists police to return located property to its rightful owner and makes it harder to sell. * Have a (very) secure set up on your ute if storing tools in it. Thieves are attracted to property left in vehicles; in driveways, at the shops, unlocked garages etc. Hopefully you can save yourself some pain by keeping these in practice.
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Making your Mark For identification and easy return of stolen items, there’s a range of options you can employ and of course new technologies, inventions and apps to assist – (the low tech solutions are fine though). Keep an inventory of your valuable items; use your digital Tool Box! Simply take photos and video of them on your smart device, and keep on file. You can instantly record serial numbers, makes, models, colour & size of specific items. Check out some more tips we found from Neighbourhood Watch (Ballarat) who have declared this month Mark it in March! http://www.nhwballarat.org/informa-
tion%20links/CSM%20March.htm
Tips on marking:
Thwarting the Thieves Secure your vehicle and your valuables!
• Use an engraver or ultraviolet pen to mark items on your inventory list. • Take photographs or videotape items that can’t be engraved such as jewellery, watches, silverware, collectables, stamp and coin collections, furs, antiques, paintings and furniture. (put a ruler or matchbox beside each item to show its size) • Mark your property with your driver’s licence number with the letter ‘V’. • Fill out a Property Identification Form from your local police station so police will have your code if your property is stolen. • Stickers are available from Neighbourhood Watch to show your property has been marked - display these stickers on your property and in prominent places around the house.
‘My Costing Guide’ is a fully automated program where all you have to do is add or change the variables and the total price will appear in an instant. It is simple to use and can be personalised to your own business. How many times have you gone to a job and found that it will take longer because of exterior obstacles or excessive furniture to work around? ‘My Costing Guide’ allows you to add extra time for those situations. It even calculates a workers allocated break time of 20 minutes a day.
www.mytools4business.com/mycostingguide
2014 April Issue | 27
4 /1311 Ipswich Rd, Rocklea, Queensland, Australia 4106 1800 355 344 info@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au
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The Main Ingredients
to Building Strong Relationships in Business Business is changing faster than ever. Gone are the days when you wanted a service or product that you just went out and purchased the first available on offer. People are now more savvy shoppers and want more than the widget or service that is being offered. More often now I find that price has nothing to do with someone not purchasing what is for sale. A purchaser wants to know that the person they are buying from has other attributes too. Knowing who they are purchasing from, what sort of customer service they will get now and in the future, are they getting the best from the best and where is the social proof of that belief? These are all of great importance to the consumer. The internet has changed business totally and continues to do so daily. Social media gives people the opportunity to talk about others, to recommend services and products, or to tell others not to go there. This is very powerful, especially if you are have negative statements being publicised on the internet. Why do you think large organisations have rooms of people scouring the net for any negative comments that are being made about them or their products? Airlines, car manufacturers and utility companies, along with many others, have this down to perfection. If you put something negative out there, you will be contacted in the hope that it can be rectified before it does any damage to the company. Do a Google search and you will find some remarkable stories and
videos from people who have boycott big companies and been very vocal about it. As a small business person, this is just as important to you as it is to large companies. People network in groups and talk about who is out there, what they are offering and who is the best person to engage for services and products. A negative comment can do untold damage to one’s business that can get out of control if not rectified very fast. So, do you want to be one of those businesses that people rave about or someone who provides second rate services/products? Do you want to have people discussing you in a negative way in social media? It is important to be seen and perceived as providing the best service/product, be squeaky clean, to portray the image that people are seeking and to give the very best that is available to your clients. I believe that people buy from people firstly on authenticity and trust, social proof and integrity. Stand out by proving that you have these qualities and your raving fans will support you and your business. Jennie Gorman jennie@connexionsunlimited.com.au
www.connexionsunlimited.com.au 2014 April Issue | 29
30 | Aussie Painters Network
Happy Client... Happy Life Happy Wife – Happy Life... We have all heard that saying; and how true it is! Where it originated from, I do not know. Maybe it dates back to Samson and Delilah in the Old Testament of the Bible, Judges 16 - The Philistines offered 1100kgs of silver for Delilah to find out the secret of Samson’s strength as he was a threat to the kingdom. In her greed for such a large amount of money, Delilah nagged him day after day until he finally told her; (It was his hair if you don’t know the story.) Or, maybe it was more recent like the mid 1890s when, after many years of the Women’s Suffrage movement, demonstrations and partitioning of the male dominated government resulted in women’s right to vote in Australia and New Zealand. In both cases the ladies were happy with the outcome (not so for Samson as it led to his death!). The same underlying principal goes for your customers! Given the impact a disgruntled customer can have on your life, Happy Wife-Happy Life is relevant and transferable to a client as well. Contented Customer – Booming Business! Keep them happy and business will run smoothly. I truly believe myself, there is no such person as an unreasonable, un-realistic, pain-in-the-ass client (in 99% of cases that is). If a customer is giving you grief, being pickie or they are slow at paying their account, then the problem is YOU (I may have just lost a few readers then). If you are a contractor that has regular issues with clients, then you should seriously look at the complaints. Are they questioning the standard of your work? Well, maybe they have a valid point and the painting is rough in places, or maybe you have missed a few things. Have you priced the job too cheap so you have to take short-cuts? Maybe you are just too greedy and want to make a huge profit regardless of the quality!
Whatever the reason, the client is unhappy and will most likely make it difficult for you and hold off payment. This in turn costs you money! You have to go and chase it and maybe even take it to court. Some will apply enough pressure on a client, and eventually get paid, but this is truly bad for your business. So maybe after all is said and done you made a motza on that job, but the problem with that reasoning is you will not be recommended to anyone by that client. This is where you have to look at the future.
I have only given out 2 formal letters for failure of payment in 30 years, the last being 14 years ago. Why? Because all my clients are happy! The additional benefit to this, to give you a tangible example, is that in the past 30 days I have had $50,000 worth of work accepted. This has been from previous clients or clients that referred me to other people. There is also another $60,000 worth of work pending clients confirmation. This is why my advertising costs are low as referrals make up 70-80% of my work load. So what if it takes you more time in finishing a job! Don’t agree with what they have to say about the work? Get over it! Just do what it takes, and do it with a smile. You will find you’ll be paid on time, and if all is resolved well, they’ll ask you to come back for more work and they will happily recommend you to others. And all it takes is keeping your client happy. Life is better when your wife is happy... so too it is when your customers are content!
Jim Baker
www.mytools4business.com 2014 April Issue | 31
can save you money and do the right thing for the environment at the same time
Material used is Versacoat Light Moon Grey.
Versacoat is perfect for any exterior application due to its durability.
32 | Aussie Painters Network
Planet Paints can save you money and do the right thing for the environment at the same time. Planet Paints use revolutionary technology to turn waste paint into solvents and high quality paints.
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2014 April Issue | 33
Press Release:
On-line Training Launched for Painting Industry March 25th 2014 The National Institute of Painting and Decorating is launching on-line training for the painting industry across Australia this month. The system is expected to revolutionise the way training is conducted, and promises to offer high quality, affordable training for painters anywhere in Australia and the Pacific. The NIPD e-learning system allows painters to study anywhere, any time. It avoids travel and accommodation costs, and saves time. Students can study at their own pace, and get the best quality training available no matter where they live. Over 250 videos were created, including animation and 3D modelling to make the lessons engaging and fun, and difficult concepts easier to grasp. The project took six months to create, involved five professional trainers and industry consultants, and features over 30 different painters from across Australia and the Pacific. Over 1500 questions were designed, and 29 different modules were created to cover every aspect of the trade. The courses meet the requirements of the Australian Quality Training
34 | Aussie Painters Network
Framework, and may result in nationally recognised qualifications issued by Registered Training Organisations. The on-line resources are supported by WorkCover NSW and the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council E-learning Co-operative. Using the system created by NIPD, apprentices anywhere in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland can now complete all their theory and lessons on-line using any computer, tablet or smartphone whenever they want, wherever they want. This will be extended to other states over the coming months. “This system will save employers thousands of dollars, and hundreds of hours in lost time, because now their apprentices can learn anywhere and anytime. Instead of sending apprentices for block training at colleges, the employer can train the apprentice on-site, on a rainy day, or when work is slow�, says NIPD Education Manager Michael Farrugia. Any computer or digital device with an internet connection and a webcam can access the system anywhere in the world, including tablets, Mac and PC. It is expected
that thousands of painters living in remote areas, Pacific Islands, or who are time-poor will now be able to access high quality training to improve their skills. Subjects include estimating, colour matching, spray-painting, decorative finishes, protective coatings, wallpapering, safety, and business. The system was developed in partnership with Valspar leading paint brands Wattyl, Solver and Granosite; Spraychief, Lead Group, EduBytes, PaintInspec; and in consultation with WorkCover NSW, Fair Work Australia, Macquarie University, Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council Painting and Decorating RTO Co-operative, Aussie Painters Network, and Safe Work Australia. For more information please see http://www.painters.edu. au/Apprenticeships/ApprenticeshipsLMS.htm or contact Daniel Wurm, National Institute of Painting and Decorating 1300 319 790
Advertisements are placed for free! How much does your business need to earn to cover its expenses?
www.mytools4business.com/myhourlyratecalculator
2014 April Issue | 35
www.consolidatedi.com.au Phone: +61 7 3292 1100 | Fax: +61 7 3292 1110 Email: contactus@consolidatedi.com.au I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for referring me to Consolidated Insurance Pty Ltd. I spoke to Scott about our Business Insurance and with little time, Scott emailed me back a comprehensive package for our Business and we saved over $1,000.00. Thanks again Aussie Painters Network for the great referral and all your ongoing help. Sonya Baker
36www.bakerbrosmasterpainters.com.au | Aussie Painters Network
2014 April Issue | 37
First Chartered Capital
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Hello APC Readers, What a busy month we have been having in Western Australia. The white set plaster trial is building momentum with subcommittee now formed and trial parameters about to be set. We’ll keep you up to speed and look forward to bringing you some photos and clips as we go along. We had a fantastic turn out for our AGM. Craig James from Comm Sec gave participants an overview of the economic situation in the construction industry, but more importantly where painting fitted in. We thank the Commonwealth Bank for getting Craig over to the West for this valuable presentation. But that wasn’t all, Master Painters & Decorators Australia officially “launched” our new service, Workforce Solutions – Painters & Decorators. Wherever you are in Australia if you have issues that could see you operating as a “SHAM” contractor contact the association and Workforce Solutions will be able to assist you. This is one of the many services available through Work-
force Solutions. Become a gold member of APN and you will be guaranteed the discounts associated with many of Workforce Solutions services or as a member of Master Painters & Decorators Australia you have access to all. The staff have been working hard on preparing the ReddiFund Master Painters & Decorators Awards for Excellence competition. We go live in April with our online entry forms for both the Apprentice of the Year competition and the Awards for Excellence. With record numbers of entries last year, this year, every renewing and new member to the association gets one free category entry to the competition! Look forward to seeing all those wonderful entrants vying for the great prizes and marketing exposure and who knows you could be the next Master Painter & Decorator of the year. Happy painting everyone, see you next month.
Amanda
2014 April Issue | 39
www.zenhabits.net 40 | Aussie Painters Network
2014 April Issue | 41
The Industry
Idiots
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Important Contacts Aussie Painters Network www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com
Ph. 0430 399 800
Master Painters & Decorators Australia www.masterpainters.asn.au Ph. 08 9471 6662 National Institute for Painting and Decorating www.painters.edu.au Ph. 1300 319 790 Australian Tax Office www.ato.gov.au
Award Rates www.fairwork.gov.au
Ph. 13 72 26 / Ph. 13 28 65 Ph. 13 13 94
Fair Work Building & Construction www.fwbc.gov.au Ph. 1800 003 338 Mates In Construction www.matesinconstruction.com.au
Ph. 1300 642 111
Workplace Health and Safety Contacts STATE ACT NSW NT QLD SA VIC WA
Website www.worksafe.act.gov.au www.workcover.nsw.gov.au www.worksafe.nt.gov.au www.deir.qld.gov.au www.safework.sa.gov.au www.worksafe.vic.gov.au www.safetyline.wa.gov.au
Phone (02)62073000 13 10 50 1800 019 115 1300 369 915 1300 365 255 1800 136 089 1300 307 877
Cancer Council Australia ACT NSW NT QLD SA VIC WA
www.actcancer.org www.cancercouncil.com.au www.cancercouncilnt.com.au www.cancerqld.org.au www.cancersa.org.au www.cancervic.org.au www.cancerwa.asn.au
(02) 6257 9999 (02) 9334 1900 (08) 8927 4888 (07) 3634 5100 (08) 8291 4111 (03) 9635 5000 (08) 9212 4333 2014 April Issue | 43
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